The conversion will be for an airboat, though it may get used as a weed eater until fall. We haven't got one at my fiance's house.

I am not sure of the intake and exhaust port configuration as it was hanging on a wall above my head. Is one config better or easier to use?

I think I am going to get the Ryobi, and after another couple paychecks I may go get the Poulan. I will be definitely watching come spring clean up for trimmers. I like to tinker and I think I may need a stack of them to experiment and learn with. I'd like to learn how to do porting and all that.